can possibly be

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "can possibly be" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate possibility or uncertainty in a statement. For example: "The new music festival can possibly be a great success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What can possibly be left for him?

The New York Times

What can possibly be going on?

The Guardian - Books

And the best value it can possibly be is zero.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Jamieson's was as splendid as a silver can possibly be.

The Guardian - Sport

Many Americans wonder how this can possibly be.

The New York Times

"We're as educated as we can possibly be".

The New York Times - Sports

Who, you wonder, can possibly be advising her?

The Guardian

"We are as tenant-friendly as you can possibly be".

The New York Times

They're at every game they can possibly be at".

The New York Times

For the love of God, what can possibly be done?

The New York Times

He's still as good as he can possibly be".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "can possibly be" to express a moderate degree of possibility, acknowledging uncertainty while suggesting feasibility. For example, "The project can possibly be completed by the end of the year, provided we allocate sufficient resources."

Common error

Avoid using "can possibly be" when you need to express a high degree of certainty. Using the phrase in such contexts may undermine the strength of your statement. For example, instead of saying "This is the solution that can possibly be implemented", use "This is the solution that will be implemented".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can possibly be" functions as a modal expression of possibility. It combines the modal verb "can" with the adverb "possibly" to indicate a likelihood or potential for something to exist or occur. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "can possibly be" serves as a versatile expression of possibility, often used to convey uncertainty or speculation across various contexts. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its correct usage, highlighting its prevalence in news, academic, and formal settings. While "can possibly be" is widely accepted, understanding its subtle differences from alternatives like "could potentially be" or "might conceivably be" allows for more precise communication. When using the phrase, avoid overstating certainty and consider the context to ensure it aligns with your intended meaning. Its widespread use in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian underscores its reliability and appropriateness in diverse writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could potentially be

Replaces "can possibly" with "could potentially", implying a slightly lower degree of certainty.

could realistically be

Adds a layer of realism to the possibility, implying feasibility.

might conceivably be

Substitutes "can possibly" with "might conceivably", suggesting a more theoretical possibility.

may reasonably be

Suggests that there is a logical basis for the possibility.

may perhaps be

Replaces "can possibly" with "may perhaps", conveying a sense of uncertainty and tentativeness.

is not out of the question

Expresses possibility by stating the absence of impossibility.

is potentially able to be

Expands the phrase to emphasize the potential and ability aspects.

is within the realm of possibility

Rephrases the idea to focus on the scope of possibility, making it more descriptive.

is a feasible option

Frames the possibility as a viable choice or alternative.

is conceivably able to be

Highlights the conceivability aspect with a similar level of formality.

FAQs

How can I use "can possibly be" in a sentence?

Use "can possibly be" to indicate a possibility or potential outcome. For instance, "The new policy "can possibly be" beneficial, but we need more data to confirm its effectiveness."

What are some alternatives to "can possibly be"?

You can use alternatives like "could potentially be", "might conceivably be", or "may perhaps be" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "can possibly be" formal or informal?

"Can possibly be" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, but alternatives like "may perhaps be" are slightly more formal, while "could be" is more neutral.

What's the difference between "can possibly be" and "will definitely be"?

"Can possibly be" suggests a possibility with some uncertainty, while "will definitely be" indicates a high degree of certainty. Use "can possibly be" when the outcome is not guaranteed, and reserve "will definitely be" for situations where you are confident in the result.